South Yorkshire Police issue advice to relatives of people with dementia

Claire Lewis

Police officers are urging relatives of people with dementia to sign up to a scheme which speeds up the process when people go missing.

The force wants families to make use of the 'Herbert Protocol', which provides officers with all the information they need to know when vulnerable people go missing.

Used by South Yorkshire Police since 2014, and named after a former soldier who had Alzheimer's, the scheme involves the force keeping records on vulnerable adults based on information provided by their relatives.

The forms contain details including medical conditions, daily routines and places of interest.

They can be used to draw up search plans as soon as somebody is reported missing in a bid to save time.

Sergeant Jon Holt said: “It’s a worrying time for anyone when a family member or friend is reported missing, especially so when that person is vulnerable due to illness.

“The protocol allows us to have access to incredibly important information about that person which will hopefully reduce the time that a person’s whereabouts is unknown so that they can be reunited with their loved ones as quickly as possible.”

“I would like to remind carers, family members and friends that this form is available to them and to urge them to fill it out.

“Obviously, we hope that the form never has to be seen by us, but if someone with dementia does go missing, this could prove paramount in helping us to find them.”